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Read the press release here.

Irving Park And Kedzie Could Be Getting Left-Turn Arrow

 A left turn arrow at Irving Park Road and Kedzie is one of the projects chosen to receive money from Ald. Deb Mell's infrastructure budget in the 33rd Ward.
A left turn arrow at Irving Park Road and Kedzie is one of the projects chosen to receive money from Ald. Deb Mell's infrastructure budget in the 33rd Ward.
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IRVING PARK — Ald. Deb Mell (33rd) introduced a participatory budgeting process for spending the ward's $1.32 million in aldermanic infrastructure money, and received $14 million worth of suggestions from constituents for needed improvements.

In total, more than 400 projects were recommended by residents via community meetings and an online survey, with alley and street resurfacing the most common requests, Mell reported via the ward's website.

In determining which projects to fund, Mell and her staff also conducted site surveys, pulled 311 data and factored in conflicts with other pending infrastructure work such as water main or utility replacement. An effort was made to spread funds across the entire ward.

The list of projects submitted to the Chicago Department of Transportation for engineering and final cost estimates has been posted online.

Highlights include the proposed addition of a left-turn arrow at the intersection of Irving Park Road and Kedzie Avenue.

Notable projects that did not receive funding: pedestrian refuge islands on Irving Park Road (due to upcoming utility work) and in-street "stop for pedestrian" signs.

Mell explained that the pedestrian crosswalk signs are easily damaged, requiring additional money to replace. Her office is pressing pause on the signs while exploring a "more durable and effective way to mark crosswalks."

Once the city reports back to the ward office, likely within the next two months, projects will undergo a final review before construction is authorized.